"The dealers were required to register the firearms within seven days."

Legal advice was received that the commissioner does not have the authority under the Act to exempt firearms dealers from acquiring or purchasing firearms.

"As a result, the Exemption to Section 25 (1) of the Act has now been withdrawn, and we are in the process of notifying dealers of the change," Commissioner Wilkinson said. "Anyone with an unwanted or unregistered firearm can hand it to a police station and no action will be taken for the unauthorised possession of the firearm.

"Police are also available to assist with the collection of firearms."